Turpan: Jiaohe City and Flame Mountain

    Turpan, called Gaochang in ancient times, was a major stop on the northern route of the Old Silk Road and is the hottest, lowest and driest place in China. Aydingkol Lake in Turpan is 154 meters below sea level, second lowest in the world next only to the Dead Sea of Jordan. Turpan's highest annual temperature is nearly 50 degrees Centigrade, with an annual rainfall of only 16 mm. It produces the world's sweetest grapes.

    Jiaohe City is more than 2,000 years old, and seen from a distance appears as nothing more than a group of dilapidated walls. Upon entering, lanes, nobility bathtubs, proletarian stoves, and wells come into view. Jiaohe City is often site of film shoots.

    Flame Mountain is famous for being mentioned in the classic novel Journey to the West, adapted from the journals of Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang who sought Buddhist scriptures in India. In the novel, Flame Mountain is an obstacle in Xuanzang's path, until Monkey King Sun Wukong, his most famous disciple, borrows a magic fan to extinguish its flames and clear the way. Flame Mountain was named for its red sandstone, conglomerate and mudstone. Under the scorching midsummer sun it truly appears to flame.

    Turpan is a 182-kilometer, 2.5-hour drive by road from Urumqi.

    Urumqi: Modern Xinjiang Exemplified

    Urumqi is the capital city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In ancient times it was the only city on the northern route of the Old Silk Road to act as a center for tax collecting, administration and material supply. Urumqi has numerous natural and man-made sights, and is the place to experience modern Xinjiang.

    The Xinjiang International Bazaar in Urumqi covers an area of 100,000 square meters, and is said to be the largest in the world. It combines shopping and entertainment, and there is also a mosque nearby. Urumqi's folklore street offers the chance to observe the folklore and sample food and beverages from various localities.

    The bars in Urumqi are also well worth a visit, particularly the Red Tomato Bar, which is haunt of the local Xinjiang Uygur youth.

    Urumqi is a must for any Xinjiang tour, not least because it has the largest international airport in northwest China operating eight international air routes, and is the hub of the Eurasian Continental Bridge.

(China Today September 30, 2005)

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